we know we have to rebuild the states that were ravaged by hurricane sandy. we know that the whole nation needs help. let's roll up our sleeves and send a clear message to our fellow americans in the rest of the country that we are prepared to go back to work. this is neither a democratic or republican issue. infrastructure is vitally important to everyone. it shouldn't take anything more than calling the bill up and voting on it. i think it the other issue that everyone agrees on is the whole issue with regard to the middle class tax cut. everybody, including billionaires', would get a $250,000 tax cut. why risk the uncertainty, why take people to this fiscal cliff during this holiday season when this could easily be addressed? then you can come back and haggle in january. no one has to break a pledge. as tom cole eloquently said, he is not raising anyone's taxes, he is preventing them from being raised on the middle-class. step up to the plate, send that message to the entire world that we are secure. long-term, i think we need to focus on health care costs